Community: The Secret to Stopping Deforestation in Guatemala
The forest concessions of the Maya Biosphere Reserve have boasted a near-zero deforestation rate for 20 years.
Article
What's at Stake
A full third of Mesoamerica is covered in lush forest, which serves as home to scores of Indigenous and local communities, iconic wildlife, archeological wonders, and abundant biodiversity. While agriculture is the backbone of the region’s economy, it also drives deforestation and climate change.
On the front lines of climate change
Prolonged droughts and frequent hurricanes are making it harder for farmers in Mesoamerica to make a living. A lack of access to international buyers and government support compounds the problem, leading some farmers to cut down forests for more cropland, while others migrate elsewhere in search of better opportunities.
Our Impact
Our community forestry work in the Selva Maya is recognized around the world as a stunning success for people and nature. We also work with certified farmers on producing crops like coffee, cocoa, and fruits sustainably.
Our reach in certification
700,000 hectares (data through 2023).
Through our certification program, we work to improve the sustainability of 61,443 smallholder farmers, 233 farm groups, and almost 3,000 large farms across 700,000 thousand hectares. Almost half a million workers benefit from these efforts.
Protecting forests and building up communities
1 million hectares of forest managed sustainably.
We worked with community forestry businesses to improve their conservation practices while achieving US$53 million in sales of forest products from 2013 to 2023. As a result, the communities conserved one million hectares of forest.
Mesoamerica
We always start by listening. We work with farmers and forest communities to develop solutions to their specific challenges—which range from a lack of investment and business skills to poor soils and droughts. Our agricultural certification program supports farmers and workers, while our forest work helps both forests and communities thrive.
It Takes an Alliance: Activating Support for Indigenous Communities in Mexico
We worked with eight indigenous coffee-farming communities in Chiapas to build skills in fire prevention, business skills, and health and nutrition.
These Banana Farms in Costa Rica Are Growing a Brighter Future
Rich biodiversity? Check. Well-treated workers? Check. Prepared for climate events? Check. Costa Rica's banana industry has a long history of worker abuse and environmental destruction—but these certified farms are proving there's a better way.
The Rainforest Alliance's Work in Mexico
We are working to grow Mexico’s domestic market for sustainably produced products.
All resources for Mesoamerica
A Reason to Stay: Strategies to Combat Out-Migration of Youth in Rural Mexico’s Sustainable Forest Communities
Sustainable management is a critical tool for protecting global forests and improving local livelihoods. However, in many rural communities, such as those in Calakmul, Mexico, a dearth of employment opportunities often leads youth to seek work in other areas. Such out-migration leaves rural regions without the leadership, innovation, education, and ambition of their best and […]
Forest Conservation Through Indigenous Entrepreneurship
The Rainforest Alliance has a long history working alongside Indigenous Peoples, partnering with Indigenous organizations and communities in some of the world’s most ecologically and culturally significant landscapes, including the Amazon basin. Our teams of field professionals have built enduring relationships and co-design sustainable development programs that center Indigenous Peoples as the foremost guardians of […]
It Takes an Alliance: Activating Support for Indigenous Communities in Mexico
We worked with eight indigenous coffee-farming communities in Chiapas to build skills in fire prevention, business skills, and health and nutrition. ... Continue Reading
What’s It Like to Work on a Rainforest Alliance Certified Coffee Farm? Six Migrant Workers Share Their Stories
Migrant workers from Guatemala talk about working on certified farms in Chiapas, Mexico. ... Continue Reading
An Indigenous Community Finds a New Home—and Restores a Landscape
Once violently displaced, an Indigenous community in Chiapas, Mexico now flourishes.... Continue Reading
Origin Performance & Risk Report: Honduras
The Rainforest Alliance and partners have worked in coffee for nearly four decades. While there are still challenges in the sector, we’ve also seen great improvements. In Honduras, producers range from smallholder to large-scale. While production costs are lower than in many other coffee-growing countries, earning a living income is very challenging and labor is […]